Anchor assembly

ABSTRACT

An anchor assembly (10) comprises an anchor (12) comprising a body (15) defining a cavity (16). The anchor (12) further comprises a reinforcing member (18) extending through the cavity (16) and outwardly from the body (15). The anchor assembly (10) further includes an insertion device (14) insertable into the cavity (16). The insertion device (14) comprises a securing member (49) movable between securing and non-securing positions. When the movable securing member (49) is in the securing position in the cavity (16), the securing member (49) can engage the reinforcing member (18) to secure the insertion device (14) to the anchor (12).

This invention relates to anchor assemblies. This invention also relatesto anchors for use in anchor assemblies. This invention also relates toinsertion devices for use in anchor assemblies.

It is known to use anchors in ceilings to suspend items therefrom. Theweight that can be supported by such anchors can be limited. Someanchors are provided with insertion devices having movable securingtoggles, sometimes it can be difficult to cause the toggle to move to asecuring position.

According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided an anchorassembly comprising: an anchor mountable on a support, the anchorcomprising a body defining a cavity, the anchor further comprising areinforcing member extending through the cavity and outwardly from thebody; and an insertion device insertable into the cavity, the insertiondevice comprising a securing member movable between securing andnon-securing positions; wherein, when the movable securing member is inthe securing position in the cavity, the securing member can engage thereinforcing member to secure the insertion device to the anchor.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided ananchor for use with an insertion device having a movable securingmember, the anchor comprising: a body defining a cavity, and areinforcing member extending through the cavity and outwardly from thebody, wherein the body comprises a cover member extending over thecavity; wherein the cover member cooperates with the securing member tourge the securing member towards a securing position of the securingmember when the insertion device is inserted into the cavity.

The body may define an opening through which the insertion device can beinserted. The reinforcing members may be elongate. The anchor maycomprise a plurality of the reinforcing members extending through thecavity and outwardly from the body. The reinforcing members may bearranged around the opening.

The anchor may comprise two of the reinforcing members arranged oppositeeach other. The opening may be defined between the reinforcing members.

The reinforcing members may be provided to reinforce a curable materialdisposed over the anchor. The reinforcing members may project into thecurable material. The curable material may be concrete.

The body may comprise a cover member which extends over the cavity. Whenthe insertion device is inserted into the cavity, the movable member mayengage the cover member, thereby causing the movable member to move tothe securing position.

The body may comprise a holding member for holding the reinforcingmembers. The cover member may be mountable on the holding member. Thecavity may be defined between the cover member and the holding member.

The cover member and the holding member may comprise attachingformations to attach the cover member to the holding member. Theattaching formations may comprise a socket and a tab receivable in thesocket. The attaching formations may comprise a plurality of sockets anda plurality of tabs receivable in the sockets.

The holding member may comprise the socket, or the plurality of sockets.The cover member may comprise the tab, or the plurality of tabs. Thecover member may include a cover wall. The, or each, tab may extend fromthe cover wall.

The holding member may engage the support. The holding member maycomprise a support engaging portion to engage the support.

The holding member may be a base portion. The holding member maycomprise a receiving formation to receive the reinforcing member. Wherethe anchor comprises a plurality of the reinforcing members, the bodymay define a plurality of reinforcing formations to receive thereinforcing members. Where the anchor comprises two of the reinforcingmembers, the body may define two reinforcing formations to receive thereinforcing members.

The, or each, receiving formation may be defined in the holding member.The body may comprise fastening formations to allow the anchor to befastened to the support. The fastening formations may be aperturesdefined by the body. The apertures may be defined by the holding member.

The body may comprise lugs defining the aforesaid apertures. The bodymay define two oppositely extending lugs. The lugs may be provided onthe holding member.

The cover member may comprise an internal surface having an inner regionand an outer region. The inner region may be aligned with the opening.The outer region of the internal surface may be concavely curved. Thecover wall may extend from the outer region.

The securing member may comprise a cooperating portion having a tip. Thecooperating portion may comprise a first surface extending from the tip,and a second surface extending from the first surface. The inner andouter regions of the internal surface may cooperate with the tip to urgethe securing member towards the securing position when the insertiondevice is inserted into the cavity.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided ananchor assembly comprising: an anchor mountable on a support, the anchorcomprising a body defining a cavity; and an insertion device insertableinto the cavity, the insertion device comprising a securing membermovable between securing and non-securing positions, the securing membercomprising a cooperating portion having a tip, a first surface extendingfrom the tip, and a second surface extending from the first surface;wherein the body comprises a cover member extending over the cavity, thecover member comprising an internal surface having an inner region andan outer region; wherein the inner and outer regions of the internalsurface cooperate with the tip to urge the securing member towards thesecuring position when the insertion device is inserted into the cavity.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided aninsertion device insertable into a cavity in a body of an anchor, theinsertion device comprising: a securing member movable between securingand non-securing positions, the securing member comprising a cooperatingportion having a tip, a first surface extending from the tip, and asecond surface extending from the first surface; wherein the tip cancooperate with the body of the anchor to urge the securing membertowards the securing position when the insertion device is inserted intothe cavity.

The insertion device may comprise a main part. The securing member maybe attached to the main part. The securing member may be rotatablyattached to the main part at an axis point. The securing member has acentre of gravity and the securing member may be rotatably attached tothe main part at the centre of gravity.

The securing member may comprise a toggle. The securing member maycomprise two of the aforesaid cooperating portions, each cooperatingportion comprising a respective tip. The two cooperating portions may bearranged opposite each other. The axis point may be arranged between thetwo cooperating portions.

The tips of the two cooperating portions may define an axis extendingtherebetween. The axis may be offset from the centre of gravity of thesecuring member. The axis may be offset from the axis point.

Each of the two cooperating portions may comprise a respective firstsurface. Each of the first surfaces may extend from the respective tip.Each of the two cooperating portions may comprise a respective secondsurface. Each of the second surfaces may extend from the respectivefirst surface. The two second surfaces may, together, form a singlecentral surface.

When the insertion device is inserted into the cavity, the tip mayinitially engage the inner region of the internal surface.

On further movement of the insertion device into the cavity, cooperationbetween the tip and the inner region of the internal surface may causethe securing member to move towards the securing position and the tip toengage the outer region of the internal surface.

Cooperation between the tip and the outer region of the internal surfaceduring said further insertion may cause the securing member to move thesecond surface of the cooperating portion into engagement with the innerregion of the internal surface.

The second surface of the cooperating portion may engage the innerregion of the internal surface as the insertion device is further movedinto the cavity, thereby urging the securing member further towards thesecuring position. The inner region of the internal surface maycooperate with the second surface of the cooperating portion to urge thesecuring member towards the securing position when the insertion deviceis further moved into the cavity.

The, or each, cooperating portion may define a concavity to receive the,or a respective, reinforcing member. The, or each, concavity may beopposite the, or the respective, first surface. The, or each, concavitymay be opposite the, or the respective, second surface.

The, or each, reinforcing member may have a convexly curved outersurface. The securing member may be movable to an intermediate positionbetween the securing and non-securing positions. When the securingmember is in the intermediate position, the tip of the securing membercan engage the outer surface of the reinforcing member.

In one embodiment described herein, the engagement of the tip with thereinforcing member is a condition of unstable equilibrium of thesecuring member. In this embodiment, a force applied to the insertiondevice to pull the securing member against the reinforcing member causesthe securing member to move either to the securing position or to thenon-securing position.

In one embodiment, the anchor assembly may include a locking arrangementto lock the insertion device to the anchor. The locking arrangement maycomprise a locking member mountable on the insertion device. The lockingmember may be mountable on the main part of the insertion device. Thelocking member may be tightened onto the insertion device to tighten thesecuring member onto the reinforcing member.

The locking member and the insertion device may include correspondingformations to co-operate with each other and secure the locking memberto the insertion device. The corresponding formations may comprisecorresponding threads provided on the locking member and the insertiondevice to allow the locking member to be screwed onto the insertiondevice. The threads on the insertion device may be provided on the mainpart.

The locking member may comprise a nut which can be screwed onto theinsertion device.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor assembly;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the anchor assembly, showing aninsertion device about to be inserted into a cavity defined by a body;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the anchor assembly, showing theinsertion device inserted into the cavity defined by the body;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view of the anchor assembly, showing asecuring member moving to a securing position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the anchor assembly, showing thesecuring member in the securing position;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective inside view of the anchor, showing thesecuring member in the securing position;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional side view of the anchor assembly, with thesecuring member in a position of unstable equilibrium;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional side view of the anchor assembly after thesecuring member shown in FIG. 7 moves to a non-securing position when adownward force is applied to the insertion device;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a further anchor assembly; and

FIG. 10 is sectional side view of the anchor assembly shown in FIG. 9,in which the securing member is in the securing position.

The drawings show an anchor assembly 10 for use in a region of abuilding over which a curable material, such as concrete, is poured. Anexample of such a region is a floor formed above a ceiling. It is oftendesirable to suspend articles, such as lighting, from the ceiling.

The anchor assembly 10 comprises an anchor 12 and an insertion device14. The anchor 12 comprises a body 15 defining a cavity 16. The anchor12 further includes two elongate reinforcing members 18, in the form ofcables, which extend through the body 15 and project outwardly therefromon opposite sides of the body 15. When the concrete is poured over theanchor 12, the reinforcing members 18 are covered by the concrete. As aresult, the reinforcing members 18 provide reinforcement to theconcrete. An advantage of the reinforcing members 18 of the embodimentshown is that they are resiliently deformable and will spring back totheir non-deformed positions in the event that, for example, a personsteps on the anchor 12 before the concrete is poured over it.

The anchor 12 is mounted on a support 20, which may be the ceilingmentioned above. Concrete is poured over the anchor 12 and across theceiling to form a floor for the room above the ceiling. Therefore, theanchor 12 allows a user to suspend articles from the insertion device 14inserted into the anchor 12 from the room below the ceiling.

The body 15 comprises a holding member 22 fastened to the support 20.Two fastening formations in the form of lugs 24 are provided on theholding member 22. Each of the lugs 24 defines an aperture through whicha fastener 26, such as a nail, can be driven into the support 20,thereby fastening the holding member 22 to the support 20.

The body 15 further includes a cover member 28 mounted on the holdingmember 22. The cavity 16 is defined between the cover member 28 and theholding member 22. The holding member 22 defines an opening 30 throughwhich the insertion device 14 can be inserted into the cavity 16. Thecover member 28 includes axially projecting mounting tabs 32 receivablein sockets 34 defined around the edge of the holding member 22. The tabs32 are received in the sockets 34 to attach the cover member 28 to theholding member 22.

The cover member 28 has an internal surface 36 comprising an innerregion 38 and an outer region 40. The inner region 38 is aligned withthe opening 30. The outer region 40 of the internal surface 36 extendsradially outwardly from the inner region 38 and is concavely curved. Thecover member 28 also has a cover wall 41 extending around, and from, theouter region 40 (see FIG. 3). The tabs 32 extend from the cover wall 41.

The holding member 22 has two receiving formations 42, in each of whicha respective reinforcing member 18 is held. The holding member 22defines opposed recesses 44, and each of the receiving formations 42 isin the form of a region of a respective one of the recesses 44. Thereceiving formations 42 are defined opposite each other by the holder 22within the recesses 44. The opening 30 is defined between the receivingformations 42.

The holding member 22 further comprises a support engaging portion forengaging the support 20. The recesses 44 are defined by a rim member 46,which may be in the form of a wall extending around the support engagingportion. The sockets 34 are defined on the opposite side of the rimmember 46 to the recesses 44.

Opposite end regions of each reinforcing member 18 extend out of thebody 15 through gaps defined between the cover member 28 and the holdingmember 22.

The insertion device 14 comprises a main part 48 and a securing member49 rotatably attached to the main part 48 at an axis point 50. The axispoint 50 is arranged at the centre of gravity of the securing member 49.In the embodiment shown, the securing member 49 is in the form of atoggle.

The securing member 49 is rotatably movable about the axis point 50between securing and non-securing positions. The securing position ofthe securing member 49 is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The non-securingposition of the securing member 49 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The securing member 49 comprises two cooperating portions 52, eachcooperating portion 52 having a respective tip 54. The two cooperatingportions 52 are arranged opposite each other, with the axis point 50arranged therebetween. The two tips 54 define an axis A represented by abroken line extending therebetween (see FIG. 2). The axis A is offsetfrom the axis point 50 of the securing member 49.

Each of the two cooperating portions 52 comprises a respective firstsurface 56 extending from the respective tip 54. Each of the twocooperating portions 52 also has a respective second surface 58. Each ofthe second surfaces 58 extend from the respective first surface 56 tomeet at an apex.

In order to insert the securing member 49 into the cavity 16, thesecuring member 49 is arranged, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with one ofthe tips 54 upper most. When the insertion device 14 is inserted intothe cavity 16, the tip 54 may initially engage the inner region 38 ofthe internal surface 36.

Further movement of the insertion device 14 into the cavity 16 causesthe securing member 49 to move towards the securing position and the tip54 to engage the outer region 40 of the internal surface 36. This iscaused by cooperation between the tip 54 and the inner region 38 of theinternal surface 36, as a result of the offset axis A,

Cooperation between the tip 54 and the outer region 40 of the internalsurface 36 causes the securing member 49 to move the second surface 58of the cooperating portion 52 into engagement with the inner region 38of the internal surface 36. The second surface 58 of the cooperatingportion 52 engages the inner region 38 of the internal surface 36 as theinsertion device 14 is further moved into the cavity 16. During thismovement, the inner region 38 of the internal surface 36 of the covermember 28 cooperates with the second surface 58 of the cooperatingportion 52 to urge the securing member 49 further towards the securingposition.

The provision of the second surface 58 of the cooperating portion 52,and the flat inner region 38 of the internal surface 36, allows theanchor 12 to be a compact design.

The cooperating portions 52 define respective concavities 60 to receivea respective one of the reinforcing members 18. Each concavity 60 isopposite the respective first and second surfaces 58. When the securingmember 49 is in the securing position, the securing member 49 engagesthe reinforcing members 18, which are received in the concavities 60.The insertion device 14 can be attached to an article to be suspendedtherefrom. Thus, the weight of the article is transmitted via thereinforcing members 18 to the concrete, thereby allowing a greaterweight to be suspended than with prior art anchors.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show the situation where the securing member 49 is notmoved fully to the securing position before it is moved into engagementwith the reinforcing members 18. In FIG. 7, it can be seen that the tip54 engages the reinforcing member 18. In this position, the securingmember 49 is in a condition of unstable equilibrium. A downward forcenow applied to the insertion device 14 causes the securing member 49 tomove either to the securing position shown in FIG. 5, or to thenon-securing position shown in FIG. 8, so that the insertion device 14is pulled downwardly, and the securing member 49 is pulled out of thecavity 16. The user can then reinsert the insertion device 14 into thecavity 16.

There is thus described an anchor assembly 10 comprising an anchor 12and an insertion device 14 having a securing member 49 rotatablyattached to the main part 48 of the insertion device 14 at the centre ofgravity of the securing member 49. The anchor 12 includes reinforcingmembers 18 which are engaged by the securing member 49 to secure theinsertion device 14 to the anchor 12. The anchor 12 includes a covermember 28 having an internal surface 36 that can cooperate with thesecuring member 49 to urge the securing member 49 to its securingposition.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further anchor assembly 70, whichcomprises many of the same features of the anchor assembly 10 describedabove. The features of the anchor assembly 70 that are the same as thecorresponding features of the anchor assembly 10 are designated with thesame reference numerals.

The anchor assembly 70 differs from the anchor assembly 10 in that thesockets 34 are defined between the rim member 46 and an outer wall 47.The outer wall 47 extends around the rim member 48, and around the covermember 28 when the tabs 32 of the cover member 28 are received in thesockets 34. The outer wall 47 extends around, and is the same height as,the cover wall 41. Thus, the cover wall 41 and the outer wall 47 provideprotection against the ingress of concrete into the cavity 16 when theconcrete is poured over the anchor 12.

The anchor assembly 70 further includes a locking arrangement 72comprising a locking member 74 having internal threads 76. The lockingmember 74 is in the form of nut. The locking arrangement 72 furtherincludes external threads 78 formed on the main part 48.

The insertion device 14 is inserted through the opening 30 defined inthe holding member 22, and then manipulated so that the securing member49 engages the reinforcing members 18 in the securing position. Thelocking member 74 is screwed onto the threaded main part 48 to engagethe underside of the holding member 22. The locking member 74 is thentightened against the holding member 22 to pull the securing member 22into tight engagement with the reinforcing members, thereby locking thesecuring member 22 against the reinforcing members 18

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, provides the advantage that thepossibility of the securing member 22 becoming dislodged from thereinforcing members, for example during seismic events, is significantlyreduced.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An anchor assembly comprising: an anchorcomprising: a body defining a cavity, and a reinforcing member extendingthrough the cavity and outwardly from the body, wherein the bodycomprises a base portion and a cover member mounted on the base portion,the cover member extending over the cavity; and the anchor assemblyfurther includes: an insertion device insertable into the cavity, theinsertion device comprising a securing member movable between securingand non-securing positions; wherein the cover member cooperates with thesecuring member to urge the securing member towards a securing positionof the securing member when the insertion device is inserted into thecavity; wherein, when the movable securing member is in the securingposition in the cavity, the securing member can engage the reinforcingmember to secure the insertion device to the anchor.
 2. An anchoraccording to claim 1, wherein the anchor comprises two of thereinforcing members arranged opposite each other, the body defining anopening through which the insertion device can be inserted, the openingbeing defined between the reinforcing members.
 3. An anchor assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a holding member forholding the reinforcing member, the cover member being mountable on theholding member, and the cavity being defined between the cover memberand the holding member.
 4. An anchor assembly according to claim 3,wherein the cover member and the holding member comprise attachingformations to attach the cover member to the holding member.
 5. Ananchor assembly according to claim 2, wherein the attaching formationscomprise a socket and a tab receivable in the socket.
 6. An anchorassembly according to claim 4, wherein the holding member furtherincludes one or more receiving formations to receive the, or each,reinforcing member.
 7. An anchor assembly according to clam 1, whereinthe body comprises fastening formations to allow the anchor to befastened to a support, the hastening formations defining apertures toreceive fasteners therethrough.
 8. An anchor assembly according to claim1, wherein the cover member comprises an internal surface having aninner region and an outer region, the inner region being aligned withthe opening.
 9. An anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein thesecuring member comprises a cooperating portion having, a tip, a firstsurface extending from the tip, and a second surface extending from thefirst surface; wherein the tip is cooperable with the body of the anchorto urge the securing member towards the securing, position when theinsertion device is inserted into the cavity.
 10. An anchor assemblyaccording to claim 9, wherein the insertion device comprises a mainpart, the securing member being rotatably attached to the main part. 11.An anchor assembly according to claim 9, wherein the securing member hasa centre of gravity and the securing member is rotatably attached to themain part at the centre of gravity.
 12. An anchor assembly comprising:an anchor comprising: a body defining a cavity, and a reinforcing memberextending through the cavity and outwardly from the body, wherein thebody comprises a cover member extending over the cavity; and the anchorassembly further includes: an insertion device insertable into thecavity, the insertion device comprising a securing member movablebetween securing and non-securing positions; wherein the cover membercooperates with the securing member to urge the securing member towardsa securing position of the securing member when the insertion device isinserted into the cavity; wherein, when the movable securing member isin the securing position in the cavity, the securing member can engagethe reinforcing member to secure the insertion device to the anchor;wherein the insertion device comprises a main part, the securing memberbeing rotatably attached to the main part; wherein the insertion deviceincludes a locking arrangement to lock the insertion device to theanchor, the locking arrangement comprising a locking member mountable onthe main part.
 13. An anchor assembly according to claim 12, wherein thelocking m ember is configured to be tightened onto the insertion deviceto tighten the securing member onto the reinforcing member.
 14. Ananchor assembly according to claim 13, wherein the locking arrangementincludes correspond g formations on the locking member and on theinsertion device, the corresponding formations being co-operable witheach other to secure the locking member to the insertion device.
 15. Ananchor assembly according to claim 14, wherein the correspondingformations comprise corresponding threads provided on the locking memberand the insertion device to allow the locking member to be screwed ontothe insertion device.
 16. An anchor assembly according to claim 9,wherein the securing member comprises two of the aforesaid cooperatingportions, each cooperating portion comprising a respective tip, the twocooperating portions being arranged opposite each other and each of thetwo cooperating portions comprising a respective first surface and arespective second surface, each of the first surfaces extending from therespective tip, and each of the second surfaces extending from therespective first surface.
 17. An anchor assembly according to claim 11,wherein the securing member comprises two of the aforesaid cooperatingportions, each cooperating portion comprising a respective tip, the twocooperating portions be arranged opposite each other, and wherein eachof the two cooperating portions comprises a respective first surface anda respective second surface, each of the first surfaces extending fromthe respective tip, and each of the second surfaces extending from therespective first surface, wherein the tips of the two cooperatingportions define an axis extending therebetween, the axis being offsetfrom the centre of gravity of the securing member.
 18. An anchorassembly comprising: an anchor comprising: a body defining a cavity, anda reinforcing member extending through the cavity and outwardly from thebody, wherein the body comprises a cover member extending over thecavity; and the anchor assembly further includes: an insertion deviceinsertable into the cavity, the insertion device comprising a securingmember movable between securing and non-securing positions; wherein thecover member cooperates with the securing member to urge the securingmember towards a securing position of the securing member when theinsertion device is inserted into the cavity; wherein, when the movablesecuring member is in the securing position in the cavity, the securingmember can engage the reinforcing member to secure the insertion deviceto the anchor; wherein the securing member comprises a cooperatingportion having a tip, a first surface extending from the tip, and asecond surface extending from the first surface; wherein the tip iscooperable with the body of the anchor to urge the securing membertowards the securing position when the insertion device is inserted intothe cavity; and wherein the, or each, cooperating portion defines aconcavity to receive the, or a respective, reinforcing member, the, oreach, concavity being opposite the, or the respective, first surface.19. An anchor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the securing membercomprises a cooperating portion having a tip, a first surface extendingfrom the tip, and a second surf ace extending from the first surface;wherein the tip can cooperate with the body of the anchor to urge thesecuring member towards the securing position when the insertion deviceis inserted into the cavity.
 20. An anchor assembly according to claim19, wherein the cover member comprises an internal surface having aninner region and an outer region, whereby when the insertion device isinserted into the cavity, the tip initially engages the inner region ofthe internal surface, and on further movement of the insertion deviceinto the cavity, cooperation between the tip and the inner region of theinternal surface causes the securing member to move towards the securingposition and the tip to engage the outer region of the internal surface,and co-operation between the tip and the outer region of the internalsurface during said Further insertion causes the securing member to movethe second surface of the cooperating portion into engagement with theinner region of the internal surface, thereby urging the securing memberfurther towards the securing position, so that the inner region of theinternal surface cooperates with the second surface of the cooperatingportion to urge the securing member towards the securing position whenthe insertion device is further moved into the cavity.
 21. An anchorassembly according to claim 19, wherein the securing member is movableto an intermediate position between the securing and non-securingpositions, whereby when the securing member is in the intermediateposition in the cavity, the tip of the securing member can engage theouter surface of the rein Forcing member.